Car Accidents are Inevitable – How can You Protect Yourself?

If you ever get in a car wreck, you will not be reading this at the time of the unfortunate event. This is to help you understand what to do in the heat and confusion of the moment, because 1 out of every 5 drivers in America will be in a car accident at least once in their lives. If this is unknowingly in your future, the following information will help you get through the initial stages to make sound decisions, protect your rights, take care of your health, and get the legal advice you will undoubtedly need.

Choices to Make Right after the Auto Accident

Whether you could see the accident coming or you were suddenly and blindly thrust into chaos as a result of another driver’s negligence, your world will be spinning quickly, and it may take a moment or two to reorient yourself. Then what?

Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/meddygarnet/2989795183/

If Uninjured in an Auto Accident

If you are un-injured, then you will want to immediately check on the health status of the passengers in your vehicle. If they are fine, then check to see if members of the other car are injured. Once you have determined that no one is injured, call the police and stay put, though if possible and safe, move your car to the shoulder of the road. Before you do that, take pictures with a camera or cell phone of the accident, getting as much detail as possible. Pictures should be taken of the people involved as well as the vehicle and surround collateral damage. Also, do not argue with the other driver and their passengers. This serves no purpose and can only exacerbate the problem. Speak about the details only with your attorney and the police.

Gather witnesses who saw the accident. Then, call your attorney, if you have one. If not but you have a smart phone, then search for “consultation with a car wreck lawyer” and quickly scan the web pages that come up. Call one and let them know what has just happened. They may or may not find it necessary to come to the scene, but a meeting with them will follow quickly. You will also want to quickly contact your insurance company. Direct all calls from the offender’s insurance company to your lawyer.

Have your car towed to a secure location only after the police have finished writing their report.

If Injured in an Auto Accident

Immediately establish if you or the others involved in the car accident have been injured. If so, the first call to make is to 9-1-1 for police and an ambulance. Are you able to move and exit the vehicle? If able to, do so. Move to a safe place near the accident and wait for the police to arrive. If members of the offending car are injured, see if you can assist them, but be careful. If they are seriously injured, then wait for the EMT’s to arrive.

If possible, take pictures of the car accident and of those involved with a smart phone or camera. This becomes evidence to help establish your case. Once the cars are moved and the area cleaned up, there is no way to go back and replicate what happened and may cost you in one way or another.

Once the ambulance arrives, the police will ask you if you want medical attention. Absolutely. Because of the chock factor involved in being in an auto accident, not all injuries may be so immediately obvious. Even minor injuries could be exacerbated and grow like a crack in a windshield leading to health problems down the road. A bruise, a scratch, a bump on the head – nothing is too minor. If you refuse medical attention and then end up having problems as a result of the accident down the road, the offender’s attorney may legitimately call in to doubt your injury as not occurring at the accident in question.

If you are injured to the point where you cannot do this on your own, perhaps scheduling a family meeting to discuss a “what if” scenario so they can be ready to assist you and others if an auto accident ever occurs.

Also, if able, like above, contact an attorney and your insurance agent and let them know of your condition.

Finally, if you are on regular medication, then wear a medical alert bracelet at all times to alert medical personnel and others to your medication needs. If you are incapacitated, this bracelet will inform them of the medications you are on so as not to prescribe you medicine that would conflict with your current prescription causing you further health problems, if not death. You may also place a laminated list of current medications in your wallet or purse to get the attention of the attending nurse or doctor, but a bracelet is the most effective way to communicate this when incapacitated.